This is book 2 in the series, and proves that a Sophomore effort can really work if the author keeps true to the charm she gave her characters in the first book. Ally is coming more into her own, as an independent business owner and single woman. She is happy and content with her guest house and village, and new friends. But then she doubles the murder spree in the village by being the quintessential dog walker who finds a body. before she can get over that, tongues are wagging over her jealousy over the Earl's new fiancée.But when it appears that the Earl has too many suspicious things happening around him, Ally feel like she has to help, only the killer wants her out of the way. A fun page turner, this cozy hits all the markers to keep the series bounding on!

Ally recently retired is running a successful B&B in the picturesque hamlet of Locharran. Taking her dog for a walk was her relaxing time, finding a body floating of the lake was not.

Hamish the local Earl has just announced his nuptials. At seventy his bride is half his age and the gossip mill is flourishing. He has not been secretive over the fact that he wants an heir, usurping Randolph from getting the title. When the new bride is found poisoned just twenty four hours after the wedding, the local Detective finds everybody suspect, including Ally because she was physically present around when both women died.

Ally herself an amateur detective along with her partner, looks into all the facts surrounding both murders, very sure that the two are linked.

A very interesting read, set in exceptionally beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere engendered by the castle, the village and the Loch added much depth to the story.

Ally McKinley owns and runs a guest house in Locharran in the Scottish highlands .
Ally has moved to the village in the hope of finding peace and quiet.
She takes a break from the everyday organising of the guesthouse to have a walk by the loch with her dog Flora.
Ally is soaking up the peace and tranquillity until she notices something in the loch , that something turns out to be a body .
This is the start of a turbulent time for the villagers in particular Hamish Sinclair the local Earl .
This book is written in a way to make it an easy read with likeable and entertaining characters .
It reminds me a little of M.C Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth although that could be due to the location , but that takes nothing away from this book it’s a great read .
An enjoyable cosy mystery looking forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture.

B&B owner Ally McKinley has moved to the Scottish Highlands after retiring, hoping for a quiet and peaceful life in beautiful surroundings. But Locharran turns out to be a lot more eventful than she expected. Whilst out walking her puppy by the loch, she finds a woman’s body floating. Who was the woman? As she begins to investigate, she realises she must find the real killer before she or any of her friends come under suspicion. Can she uncover the truth before anyone else dies?

Ally soon realises that her investigation uncovers long-held secrets regarding friends and neighbours. I was fascinated to find out more about the villagers. It shows that no-one is quite who they seem, and one would be foolish to take those we know at face value.

I was engrossed by Ally’s latest adventures and couldn’t put it down. A compelling mystery, with danger and a fair amount of peril. But ultimately there was a joyfulness that comes from friendship and community. I can’t wait for the next one.

I really enjoy this cozy mystery series with Ally McKinley – a middle aged detective and owner of a B and B in Scotland. They are well-plotted and remind me a bit of Katie Gayle’s Julia Bird mysteries which I also enjoy. As someone who is firmly in middle age myself, I really like when the protagonist is around my age, intelligent, capable, and strong. And extra points if they love dogs!

This mystery kept me guessing until the end. I wish that these novels were made into a BBC mystery series!

Thank you to Bookouture Publishing for my copy and opportunity to take part in the tour.

This cozy mystery isn't a bad series by any means but it is a bit more cozy than mystery and I prefer more mystery. I do like the town setting and the characters, just hope the next one has a bit more of the sleuth doing some sleuthing!

Murder At The Loch is the second book in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald. A light and cosy murder mystery read, this time recent retiree, now guesthouse owner, Ally is out walking her dog, Flora, when she discovers a body floating face down in the loch. Who is the mystery woman and why would anyone want to harm her?

Ally soon finds herself smack bang in the middle of another investigation. And then, to make matters worse, Elena, new bride of local earl Hamish Sinclair, is found poisoned to death on the morning after the wedding. With two deaths to investigate, the police have a long list of suspects in the beautiful Scottish Highland village of Locharran – even Ally herself. So Ally sets out to not only uncover the truth but to clear her own name at the same time…

What follows is a completely addictive cosy murder mystery tale with the kind of twists and turns that I love. The setting of the Scottish Highlands is glorious and the perfect backdrop for murder, with dog lover, guesthouse owner and accidental detective Ally a character I can’t help but fall more and more in love with as the series continues.

Dee MacDonald’s writing is warm and enticing as she draws you into a tale that really does keep you guessing throughout. Murder At The Loch is exactly what I would have expected it to be: a gorgeous cosy murder mystery that is the perfect book to curl up with at the end of a long day – and I loved it!

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and author Dee MacDonald for this eARC

I am starting to think mysteries are not for me.

Murder at the Loch is a cozy mystery set in the Scottish Highlands. It's got the vibes down pat. with the small village, the town gossips, the bed and breakfast and the Scottish setting, the castle, it feels absolutely fittingly cozy, yet mysterious.

My problem with the book is the mystery itself. There were two parts to this mystery and for both I felt the solution was very obvious rather quickly. Since Murder at the Loch doesn't really have anything but filler scenes going on except the solving of the mysteries having guessed them the book was kinda boring…

Which brings me back to my original point - maybe mysteries are just not for me, as this seems to happen a lot.
The book was well written and as mentioned the vibes were immaculate, so it still gets 3 stars.

Murder at the Loch is the 2nd-book in the Ally McKinley Mystery series, which just so happens to be one of my new favorite Cozy Mystery series.
These books, set in the Scottish Highlands, follow recent-retiree, Ally McKinley, who fell in love with the village of Locharran while on a holiday. Shortly thereafter, she purchased the old malthouse to transform it into a B&B.

After a reno, the B&B is open and doing good business. Ally has adjusted to life quite well in Locharran; even taking in a sweet Labrador puppy, Flora. It's quite a change of pace for her in comparison to her old life in Edinburgh. The mystery in this installment kicks off when Ally and Flora are taking a walk and they discover a mysterious woman, dead and floating in the Loch.

In the aftermath of the tragic find, the village is buzzing. Who was this mystery woman and how did she end up in their peaceful corner of the countryside? Dead. That's not the only buzz though, Hamish Sinclair, the local earl, is newly engaged and his soon-to-be wife, Elena, and her sister, have just arrived from out of town.

The feathers get further flustered when it becomes common knowledge that not only is the earl's bride-to-be decades younger than him, she's not even Scottish! The townsfolk don't need to worry about Elena for long though, as she is found poisoned the morning after their controversial wedding. With two deaths to investigate, the local police seem overwhelmed and suspect everyone, including Ally herself. Determined to clear her name and get to the bottom of what's going on in Locharran, Ally, along with her new beau, start their own investigation.

Murder at the Loch entertained me from the very first pages. I was so happy to be returning to this beautiful landscape and quaint village lifestyle. This is such a fantastic Cozy series. The setting is perfection and I'm loving getting to know the cast of characters, particularly Ally, who is just such a likable protagonist.

I love how quickly MacDonald starts these mysteries. It gives you so much time to really dig deep and try to get to the bottom of what's going on.
I enjoyed the dual cases and how the deaths of these two women really amped up the drama and danger. The town was, rightly so, concerned that a very serious killer was in their mix. It could be anyone and anyone could be next.

I had a lot of different suspects over the course of the story and I loved being along for the ride as all the puzzle pieces eventually fell into place.
As expected, I have become even more attached to this cast of characters, Ally and Flora, in particular, and I'm super excited to continue on with this series.

I would highly recommend this series to any Cozy Mystery fan, particularly if you enjoy stories with small town vibes and that follow slightly older protagonists. I would also urge you to start with the 1st-book, as I feel like that initial development and set-up is important for Ally's character and the continuation of the series. Both are fantastic and I know you'll fly through them and be just like me, anticipating more!!

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I have been in such a Cozy mood lately and this was exactly what I needed and wanted when I picked it up. I'm not sure what the plans are for this series, but I am hoping to be picking them up for years to come.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Dee MacDonald's "Murder at the Loch", the second installment in the Ally McKinley Mystery series, is a thoroughly engaging cozy mystery that wraps readers in the charm of the Scottish Highlands while delivering a cleverly plotted whodunit. MacDonald masterfully captures the spirit of small-town Scotland, combining vivid scenery with a cast of eccentric locals who make the mystery feel as warm as a good cup of tea on a misty morning.

Ally McKinley, the sharp and ever-curious retired detective, is as delightful as ever. Drawn back into the world of crime-solving, Ally finds herself investigating the suspicious death of an archaeologist at Loch Katrine. The victim, a well-known figure leading an excavation with whispered secrets of treasure, pulls Ally into a tangled web of history, greed, and human flaws. With her dog, Niall, by her side and her wit as sharp as her observations, Ally uncovers layer after layer of intrigue in her relentless quest for the truth.

What makes "Murder at the Loch" so compelling is MacDonald’s knack for creating a narrative that is simultaneously suspenseful and charming. The mystery itself is intricately crafted, with plenty of red herrings and misdirections that keep readers guessing until the very end. At the same time, the story remains grounded in Ally’s endearing personality and her relationships with the locals, whose quirks and camaraderie bring humor and heart to the plot.

MacDonald’s descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape, which becomes as much a character in the story as Ally or the suspects she interrogates. The loch, with its mist-shrouded waters and hidden depths, serves as a perfect metaphor for the secrets Ally must uncover. The blend of atmospheric setting and cozy mystery makes this book a delightful escape.

For fans of the cozy mystery genre, "Murder at the Loch" is an absolute treat. It’s the kind of story that wraps you in a tartan of intrigue, humor, and the simple joys of life in a small village. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning reader, Ally McKinley’s latest adventure will leave you eager for the next installment. Dee MacDonald has once again proven her mastery of crafting a tale that’s as satisfying as solving the case itself.

When Ally's rural idyll is disturbed by the discovery of a woman's body in her favourite loch, she finds herself drawn into another investigation. When the Earl's young bride dies on her wedding day, the toxic atmosphere in the village intensifies, and village gossip spirals uncontrollably. I enjoyed this immersive, cosy crime story with credible suspects, many plot twists and a clever and courageous amateur sleuth in Ally McKinley.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW



Review for 'Murder At The Loch' by Dee MacDonald
What an absolutely brilliant addition to this absolutely addictive series by the extremely talented Dee MacDonald!!

I absolutely loved returning to this fantastic series just as much as I loved Dee's absolutely brilliant 'Kate Palmer' series which I would also highly recommend! I would recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this book before the first one, and who would blame you with this eye catching cover then fear not! There is a silver lining when you do read later books in a series first and that is while you are eagerly waiting the next book in the series to come out you can go back tor read the ones prior to the one you are reading! The good news is that you do not have too long to wait for the next book in this series which is called 'A Very Bookish Murder' (what an epic title!!). It is available to preorder now on Amazon and it will be published on the 19th September!. As I have come to expect with Dee her absolutely brilliant, evocative and emotive descriptions really brings the new setting of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands and all the surroundings and characters to life ensuring the reader is really absorbed into the storyline seeing and feeling everything that Ally is seeing and feeling and trying to solve the mystery with her. In this brilliant book we meet back up with our fantastic protagonist Ally McKinley. Ally is settling into her B&B in Locharran which she has worked hard on after retiring and moving into the restored malthouse. She is enjoying a lovely walk with her puppy Flora around by the loch and chatting away with the castle's Earl Hamish Sinclair when they see something floating in it. They call the local constable Rigby and on closer inspection they discover it is actually the body of a woman. The deceased turns out to be the fiancé of the bartender Ivan who works at the local pub and he is heartbroken. Ivan is not the only one left devastated though when another wedding is doomed when Elena, Hamish's fiancé is also killed. Ally finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation but this time with 2 women killed the stakes are even higher!!! Will Ally be able to find the killer before they strike again? Is she putting herself in danger trying to find them? Grab your copy of this absolutely amazing cosy mystery today to find out for yourselves!! I can promise that you will not regret it!! The storyline takes us on a fun cosy mystery in stunning locations filled with clues, mystery, motives, suspects, red herrings, danger, an adorable puppy and much more!!! This book really is another addictive beauty by the very talented Dee!! One of the things I absolutely adore about Dee's books is that each and every time she creates stunning areas which come to life thanks to her fantastic evocative writing skills. This book is an absolutely fantastic introduction to a brilliant new series and I cannot wait to get stuck into the next book in this series which is called 'A Very Bookish Murder' and is available to preorder now ready for the publication date of 19th September.

Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!! I absolutely devoured it in one sitting as it was 100% addictive!!

Although this is the second book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book prior. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.



These amazing characters are all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning even more about their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know all the characters again in this book from the first book as well as seeing some new faces. I absolutely love Ally and was completely invested in from the beginning. I also enjoyed re-meeting several of the other characters including the local shop owners Queenie and Bessie who are sisters and massive gossips, Hamish the Earl, Ally's cleaning lady Morag, Ross the vet and many of the other villagers. Dee portrays life in a small community absolutely perfectly!! I live in a small village myself and everybody knows your business sometimes before you even know it yourself, very much like Queenie and Bessie do!!! However, I must admit that my favourite character just HAD TO BE Ally's puppy Flora!! I am a massive animal lover and even own my own cat rescue called Golden oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can find on social media. therefore, any animals in books are a huge bonus for me and Flora is just absolutely adorable so she has to win best character paws down!! I am definitely looking forward to meeting her again in the next book along with all of the other characters in the hamlet of Locharran . Again, Dee's brilliant descriptions bring each of them all to life and I cannot wait to discover more about them and go on another mystery with Ally in 'A Very Bookish Murder'.

Congratulations to Dee MacDonald on yet another absolutely successful and addictive page turning murder mystery and a fantastic introduction to this new series! This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down and why you are in my top 5 cosy mystery author list!. Here's to you're next success 🥂


Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire and a fantastic addition to this fantastic series!!!


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It was lovely to catch up Ally McKinley, Flora, Ross Patterson and Ebony. Ally left her life behind when she moved from Edinburgh to own and run The Auld Malthouse Bed & Breakfast in a rural village in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Her neighbour, Hamish Sinclair, The Early of Locharran, invites Ally and Ross to his castle for a joyous occasion to introduce his new fiancée, Elena and her sister Magda, where Mrs Fraser and Mrs Jamieson look after him and his home. However, Ally spots something in the water, which turns out to be body floating in the loch. Ally soon discovers the identity and sets about do a spot of sleuthing when something else happens in the castle. She just can't stop herself!! All the subplots come together with a few twists and turns to a satisfying ending! More Ally and Flora!!

A cozy and enjoyable mystery. The characters were interesting and likeable. The side characters, especially, were very well placed and developed. The twists kept the story intriguing; and even though towards the end the mystery unraveled quite clearly, it was still wrapped up well. The cover (and some aspects of the story as well) had Richard Osman vibes. Overall, a great a page turner and will definitely be reading more of Ally McKinley and squad.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

first!
Ally and Flora find a body on their walk and this sets Ally off into her second case. This was a pretty good mystery with the second entry of this series…and it was just as engaging as the first!

🌟🌟🌟🌟
How cute is this dog on the cover?
Ally McKinley is back! She’s running a B & B in the Scottish Highlands and enjoying spending time with Ross, the town’s vet. She’s out walking Flora when she finds a body. Then not too long after, another woman dies? Who is killing these women in this small town? It’s up to Ally, and Flora, to figure it out.
If you like a quick paced, cozy mystery, this book is for you! I highly recommend reading the books in order because you will enjoy them both! Also, you will want to start the series at the beginning to see how it all plays out.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#MurderAtTheLoch #DeeMacDonald #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInScotland #BooksSetInTheScottishHighlands

Favorite Quote:

He was in his seventies now and still had an eye for the ladies, including Ally when she first arrived in Locharran. Age might have withered him (Ally had declined to find out), but it certainly hadn’t dulled the roguish twinkle in his eye.

My Review:

Book two was even more fun to read than the first installment, as the old biddy/village gossip mill was in hyperdrive for this one. I continued to enjoy Ms. MacDonald’s smooth storytelling and entertaining prose. Her humorous descriptions danced through my gray matter with ease and kept an amused smirk on my face. We got a two-fer for murder mysteries with this one, and both were well-nuanced and smartly paced.

Amateur sleuth and bed and breakfast owner Ally McKinley is back in this second book in a new cozy mystery series set in the Scottish Highlands.

Out on a walk with her dog, Ally is stunned to see a body in the loch. The young woman was on her way into the village to marry a local bartender. Was this an accident or murder? Meanwhile, the local Earl, Hamish Sinclair, is introducing his fiancée as he announces an impromptu wedding up at the castle. A few close friends are invited to the actual ceremony, but most of the villagers show up for the after party. Even though Hamish is in his 70s and his beloved, Elena, is half his age, people are more or less pleased for him. Except perhaps for Hamish’s cousin who is in line to be the next earl bar Hamish having children with Elena. When she is dead under suspicious circumstances the morning after the wedding, the whole of Locharran is stunned and the gossips are trying to pin the murder on just about anyone in town. Are these two deaths related?

Ally is busy snooping around and asking lots of questions of the possible suspects. She’s aided by her boyfriend, Ross, as they attempt to solve the crime. I was way ahead of Ally and had the bad actor identified fairly quickly so this was quite predictable.

The story line is OK but nothing extra special and although I like that it is set in current day and Scotland, the most interesting part is that the amateur sleuth is 68 years old. Some will find this far more entertaining and engaging.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the e-book ARC and offering this opportunity for a blog tour.

I was so excited to return to the Scottish Highlands and Ally McKinley’s cozy little guesthouse. As with the first book in the series, the characters and Ally’s growing friendships in the village are making this series incredibly enjoyable.

Ally continues to be a fantastic main character and I love rooting for her as she uses her skills to solve the (double) murder. I like that she has a good, solid relationship with police officer Rigby who takes the time to listen to her info and consider her ideas.

Aside from Rigby, I also really like Ally’s relationships with Hamish the Earl (platonic), and the local vet, Ross (more-than-platonic). They’ve really developed since the first book and I love seeing the growth. Both men add so much to the series and it’s great to see them come along as characters.

The story and mystery have a nice even pace and I was never bored at any point. I love trying to solve the mystery along with Ally and had a great time trying to figure out whodunnit.

I’m really hoping that there’s many more books to come in this series!

*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture and Books on Tour, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review during the blog tour.

Murder at the Loch is the newly released and second entry in Dee MacDonald's "Ally McKinley Mystery series". I have read the first book (Murder in the Scottish Highlands) and really enjoyed it.

Dee MacDonald gives us a a wonderful lead character with Ally. She’s recently retired, but she’s full of vim and vigor. She moved herself to a small village in the Scottish Highlands, took a chance and turned a historical building into a cosy B&B. She’s made friends, has customers, got a dog and met the local veterinarian - who is just about her age. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a large castle and an Earl?

Abby is by nature curious, and that has served her well since she arrived at the village of Locharran! The supporting players are mix of personalities and bring much to the stories.

The setting is ready and the main character is ready. What else do we need? A great mystery is the answer to that question - and we have a great one from MacDonald. Almost every resident is a suspect. I enjoyed Abby‘s investigation, throwing in my two cents. I guessed the whodunit in the last chapters and the journey there was really great! This was a perfect curl up for a rainy reading day. I'll be looking for the next book!